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Frequently Asked Questions

Find the answers to our most commonly asked questions below.

Since 1989, The National Student Leadership Conference has been the premier provider of career-focused leadership conferences. Tens of thousands of high school students from across the globe have come to the NSLC for an unparalleled opportunity to meet with and learn from world leaders, academic experts and their peers. Each program helps students develop their own leadership potential while exploring some of today’s most exciting professions.

There are several ways in which students are selected to participate in the NSLC. Teachers, counselors, and NSLC alumni nominate outstanding high school students from across the United States and around the world. Candidates may also be selected from one of several national talent identification surveys, including the College Board Student Search Service and the ACT EOS.

Interested students who possess a strong academic record and have demonstrated leadership potential may also apply for admission to the NSLC on a merit basis.

Applications are considered on a rolling basis. As programs fill quickly each year, students are encouraged to apply for admission at online here to speed the application process and help ensure first choice of session.

NSLC is a truly unique experience. No matter which program you attend, you will gain essential leadership skills while learning about group dynamics, team building, goal setting, communication and conflict resolution. Additionally, you will gain a true insider’s perspective into a future career. You will also enjoy exclusive field trips, engaging academic activities and discussions with national and world leaders. College admission officers find participation in the NSLC and earning college credit while in high school of interest when evaluating applications. The NSLC experience is one that our students say they will “remember forever.”

While your invitation included a recommended application deadline, the NSLC operates on rolling admissions. We continue to evaluate applications as long as space is available. Because many of our sessions fill by late March, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to ensure your first choice of program and session.

The safety of our participants is our first concern. Our Directors have decades of experience administering programs for students. The student to staff ratio is approximately 9 to 1. Our administrative staff, faculty and Team Advisors stay on campus with the students. Male and female students are housed in separate housing facilities and/or floors. During the day, students are with their groups and supervised by our trained Team Advisors; in the evenings they have mandatory floor checks by their assigned Resident Advisor who sleeps on the same floor.

Program tuition is all-inclusive. It covers course materials, housing, on-campus meals, social events and transportation in air-conditioned motor coaches throughout the program. Each student is responsible for the cost of travel to and from the program as well as individual spending money.

Program

Length

Tuition

Acting Intensive

18 Days

$5,295

Biotechnology

9 Days

$3,195

Business & Entrepreneurship

9 Days

$3,095

Engineering

9 Days

$3,095

Entertainment Management

9 Days

$3,095

Environmental Science & Sustainability

9 Days

$3,095

Forensic Science

9 Days

$3,195

Game Design

9 Days

$3,095

Intelligence & National Security

6 Days

$2,495

International Diplomacy

10 Days

$3,195*

Journalism, Film & Media Arts

9 Days

$3,195

Law & Advocacy

9 Days

$3,195

Mastering Leadership

6 Days

$2,495

Medicine & Health Care

9 Days

$3,095

Medicine & Health Care (Chicago and San Francisco)

9 Days

$3,195

Medicine & Health Care (Boston)

9 Days

$3,395

Nursing

9 Days

$3,195

Political Action & Public Policy

9 Days

$3,195

Psychology & Neuroscience

9 Days

$3,195

Psychology & Neuroscience (Boston)

9 Days

$3,395

Sports Management

9 Days

$3,095

Theater

9 Days

$3,095

*Group Transportation will be provided between D.C. and NYC

Cancellation Fees and Refund Policy: All cancellations must be submitted in writing (email is acceptable). The following cancellation fees apply to all NSLC enrollments:

Summer Programs If Cancelled…

Cancellation Fee

By April 18, 2018

$350 ($500 for Acting Intensive)

Between April 19 and May 18, 2018

$500 ($750 for Acting Intensive)

May 19, 2018 or later

100% tuition paid

NSLC will refund all funds minus the cancellation fee listed above. No refunds will be given after May 18th, 2017. Student Protection Plan fees for accepted students are non-refundable.

Instead of cancelling, you may elect to apply your total payments toward a program next year. If so, you will be enrolled in our 2019 Pre-Registration and sent an email in the fall of 2018 to select the program/session you wish to attend. Note: If you choose to cancel your enrollment and not attend a 2019 program, the cancellation fees above will still apply.

Note: If an application is rejected or if space in the program is not available, all deposits/payments will be refunded in full.

The tuition is all inclusive. It covers course materials, housing, on-campus meals, social events and transportation in air conditioned motor coaches throughout the program. Each student is responsible for the cost of travel to and from the program as well as individual spending money.

Students are responsible for the cost of travel to and from the conference. NSLC offers transportation private shuttle service between a designated airport near each program and the Conference Center on the start and end dates of the program for a minimal fee of $40-80 each way. Upon acceptance, you will receive a NSLC Acceptance Packet that will include information on the NSLC Airport Transportation Service.

You will need to complete the Airport Transportation Request Form in time for us to arrange transportation. An experienced staff familiar with the local area and airport will meet the students at baggage claim and then escort students directly to registration at the University or Conference Center via a private shuttle service.

Please note: Because of conference scheduling, students requesting transportation to/from the airport must arrive and depart within specific times. Please do not make travel arrangements before receiving your acceptance packet which will include detailed information about arrival and departure times.

Cancellation Fees and Refund Policy: All cancellations must be submitted in writing (email is acceptable). The following cancellation fees apply to all NSLC enrollments:

Summer Programs If Cancelled…

Cancellation Fee

By April 18, 2018

$350 ($500 for Acting Intensive)

Between April 19 and May 18, 2018

$500 ($750 for Acting Intensive)

May 19, 2018 or later

100% tuition paid

NSLC will refund all funds minus the cancellation fee listed above. No refunds will be given after May 18th, 2017. Student Protection Plan fees for accepted students are non-refundable.

Instead of cancelling, you may elect to apply your total payments toward a program next year. If so, you will be enrolled in our 2019 Pre-Registration and sent an email in the fall of 2018 to select the program/session you wish to attend. Note: If you choose to cancel your enrollment and not attend a 2019 program, the cancellation fees above will still apply.

Note: If an application is rejected or if space in the program is not available, all deposits/payments will be refunded in full.

In order to provide the best experience for each student, it is necessary to limit the number of participants in any given session. Once enrollment in a session reaches its capacity, students will be offered the opportunity to enroll on a waitlist. Each year, a small number of students will cancel prior to the start of a session. Once a cancellation is received, the NSLC will offer the space to a student currently on the waitlist. Once offered a space, students will have 24 hours to confirm their enrollment before the space is offered to the next student on the waitlist. While the NSLC anticipates a few students will be offered spaces off the waitlist each year, there is no guarantee a space will become available.

It is not necessary to contact the NSLC Enrollment Office regarding your status on the Waitlist. If a space becomes available, the NSLC will contact you immediately. The NSLC highly recommends that students able to attend another session date that is open enroll in the open session to ensure their participation in the program.

In order to hold a space on the Waitlist, students must submit a deposit with their application. If a student is not eventually offered a space in the session, or is unable to attend the program when a space becomes available, the student’s deposit will be refunded in full.